Class X

The Midnight Visitor
Short Answer Type Questions: 2/3 marks each
1. How was Ausable different from other secret agents?
2. What did Ausable say about the ‘paper’ to Fowler?
3. What was the discussion of the report that took place between Ausable and Max?
4. What did Ausable say about the room where he was staying? What did Ausable tell Max about the balcony and why?
5. What is your perspective about the intruder in Ausable’s room?
Essay Type Questions : 4/5 marks each
1. Describe the meeting between Ausable and Fowler.
2. Describe the meeting between Ausable and Max.
3. What is your perspective about Ausable as a secret agent?
4. How was the physique of Ausable? State his command over Ianguage.
5. Describe how Ausable outsmarted Max. A Question of Trust
Short Answer Type Questions : 2/3 marks each
1. Give a brief account of Horace Danby.
2. How did Horace Danby show dexterity in robbing?
3. Why did he steal every year?
4. What was the thought that striked him about the fifteen thousand pounds worth of jewel?
5. What were the precautionary steps taken by Horace Danby regarding finger prints?
6. What was written in the magazine article?
7. How did the woman look?
8. What did the woman tell Horace Danby about the jewellery?
9. ls the title of the story appropriate? If so, why?
Essay Type Questions : 4/5 marks each
1. “Horace Danby was good and respectable but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorized as a typical thief?
2. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
3. Describe the meeting between Horace Danby and the lady. How did the lady display her meticulousness in outwitting Horace Danby? Give reasons for your answer. Footprints Without Feet
Short Answer Type Questions . 2/3 marks each
1. Who was Griffin? What experiment did he make?
2. Why did Griffin slip into a big London store?
3. What did Griffin do inside the big London store?
4. Why did he go to Drury Lane?
5. What did he do inside a shop in Drury Lane?
6. What did Griffin tell Mrs. Hall, the landlord’s wife?
7. Why did Mrs. Hall find Griffin eccentric?
8. What curious episode took place at the inn? Why was Griffin suspected of stealing money from the clergyman’s desk?
9. Why were the people at the bar shocked and horrified?
Essay Type Questions : 4/5 markscach
1. Do you think Griffin was a lawless person? Explain.
2. Science is a boon but also a curse. How is the negative aspect of science reflected through the character of Griffin?
3. What happened to the landlord and his wife in Griffin’s room? The Hack Driver
Short Answer Type Questions : 2/3 marks each
1. Give a brief account of the narrator.
2. Why did the narrator not like his profession?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ans: Belinda lived in a little white house. The pets possessed by Belinda are Ink, Blink, Mustard and Custard.

Who was Ink? Who was Blink?

Ans: The name of the little black kitten was Ink. The name of the little grey mouse was Blink.

Who was Mustard? Who was Custard?

Ans: The name of the little yellow dog was Mustard. The name of the dragon was Custard.

Briefly describe the physical features of the dragon.

Ans: Custard the dragon looked terrifying. It had big sharp teeth and claws like daggers. Its mouth was like a fireplace and nose was like a chimney. It had scales underneath.

Why did the dragon cry for a nice safe cage?

Ans: The dragon cried for a nice safe cage because it was a cowardly dragon.

Why is the dragon called ‘cowardly dragon’?

Ans: The dragon is called a ‘cowardly dragon’ because it used to cry for a nice safe cage.

“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful ……” Why?

Ans: Belinda and her pets used to laugh at the dragon for its cowardice. She tickled him to taunt and make fun of him.

How did all the pets and Belinda react when they heard a nasty sound?

Ans: When Belinda and her pets heard a nasty sound, Mustard growled, and all of them looked around. Ink cried “meowch!” and Belinda cried “ooh”.

Describe briefly the pirate.

Ans: The pirate had black bushy beard and a wooden leg. He held pistols in his hands and a sharp cutlass in his teeth. It was clear from his activities that he meant no good.

How did Custard face the pirate?

Ans: Custard faced the pirate boldly. He jumped up, snorted like an engine and clashed his tails like irons in a dungeon. Then, making a clattering and clanking sound and squirming, he attacked the pirate like a robin at a worm. He gobbled the pirate in the end.

How did Custard prove that he was a brave dragon?

Ans: When all the others including Belinda were terrified to see the pirate, Custard jumped up, snorted, clashed his tail and attacked the pirate and gobbled him. In this way, he proved that he was a brave dragon.

Why did Ink and Blink gyrate in glee?

Ans: Ink and Blink gyrated in glee because the pirate that had entered Belinda’s house with pistols and a cutlass was attacked and gobbled by Custard the dragon.

How did Belinda and her pets behave when the pirate had been killed by Custard?

Ans: When the pirate had been killed by Custard, Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him and Ink and Blink gyrated around him.

How did all boast of their false bravery?

Ans: After the pirate had been killed, Mustard boasted that he would have been twice as brave if he had not been confused. Ink and Blink said that they would have been thrice as brave.

Ans: No. The poet actually uses metaphor to show resemblance between the coming of a cat and the fog.

Short Type Questions : Marks : 2/3

How does the poet describe the fog as if it were a living being?

Ans: The poet says that the fog comes ‘on little cat feet’. He also says that the fog ‘sits looking over harbour and city and then moves on’. To show resemblance between the fog and a cat, the poet uses such metaphorical language that the fog is described as if it were a living being.

Name the three things that tell us that the fog is like a cat.

Ans: The three things that tell us that the fog is like a cat are – (i) the fog is said to come on ‘little cat feet’, (ii) it ‘sits looking’, and (iii) It ‘moves on’.

How is the fog like a cat? What poetic device is used by the poet here?

Ans: The fog comes silently just like a cat does. It ‘sits’ i.e. stays looking over the harbour and the city and then ‘moves on’ like a cat.

The poetic device used by the poet here is …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ans: Animals are placid and self-contained. They worry neither about their condition nor about their sins. They are not dissatisfied, respectable, unhappy or demented with the mania of owning things. They show their relations with the poet. So the poet Walt Whitman feels more at home with them.

What quality of the animals mesmerizes the poet?

Ans: The poet is mesmerised with the animals’ qualities such as placidity, self-dependence, complacence and simplicity.

How do the animals act about their condition and duty to God?

Ans: The animals never sweat and whine about their condition. They do not make others sick discussing their duty to God.

How are animals superior to human beings?

Ans: The animals are placid, self-sufficient, complacent and simple. Unlike humans, they do not worry about their condition and sins, nor do they make others sick discussing their duty to God. They are not demented with the mania of owning things. So they are superior to human beings.

What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him?

Ans: The ‘tokens’ are of mutual love and understanding that the ancestors of the poet used to share with the animals thousands of years ago. The poet says that they dropped them and the animals kept them.

Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.

Ans: Humans sweat and whine about their condition; but animals don’t. Humans lie awake at night and weep for their sins; but animals don’t. Humans make each other sick discussing their duty to God, but animals don’t.

“I think I could turn and live with animals,

They are so placid and self-contain’d.

I stand and look at them long and long.”

(a) Name the poet and the poem.

Ans: The name of the poet is Walt Whitman and the poem is “Animals”.

(b) What quality of the animals impressed the poet?

Ans: The qualities of placidity, self-dependence, complacence and simplicity of the animals impressed the poet.

“They do not sweat and whine about their condition

They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins.

They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God”

(a) Who is the ‘they’ referred to here?

Ans: The ‘they’ referred to here are the animals.

(b) Name the things ‘they’ do not do.

Ans: ‘They’ do not worry about their condition or sins. ‘They’ do not make …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Choose the correct meaning of the italicized words from the alternatives given in brackets

(a) He ‘stalks’ in his ………

(to crawl / to walk / lying)

Ans: to crawl.

(b) …………….. be ‘snarling’ around houses.

(walking / an angry sound / sniffing)

Ans: an angry sound.

True or false :

(a) Leslie Norris wrote the poem, ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’. Ans: True.

(b) The tiger after being captured was released again. Ans: False.

(c) The tiger stalks in the jungle. Ans: False.

(d) The tiger lurks in the grass to escape from the sight of the hunters. Ans: False.

(e) The strength of the tiger after being captured lies behind bars. Ans: True.

(f) The tiger hears the last voice at noon. Ans: False.

Who wrote the poem, “A Tiger in the Zoo”?

Ans: Leslie Norris wrote the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”.

Where does the tiger stalk after being captured?

Ans: The tiger stalks the few steps of his cage after being captured.

What is the emotion shown by the tiger?

Ans: The tiger shows the emotions of apathy and quiet rage.

Where should the tiger be lurking?

Ans: The tiger should be lurking in the shadow of long grass in the jungle.

What animal is ‘he’ going to prey?

Ans: The tiger is going to prey deer.

Where can the tiger see for food?

Ans: The tiger can see for food near the water holes where plump deer pass.

Where should ‘he’ be snarling?

Ans: The tiger should be snarling around houses at the jungle’s edge.

Who is terrorized by the tiger?

Ans: The villagers living at the jungle’s edge are terrorised by the tiger.

Where does ‘his’ strength lie after being locked in a concrete cell?

Ans: The strength of the tiger lies behind bars after being locked in a concrete cell.

When does ‘he’ hear the last voice?

Ans: The tiger hears the last voice at night.

What is the ‘last voice’ heard by the tiger?

Ans: The ‘last voice’ heard by the tiger is the noise of patrolling cars.

Where does ‘he’ stare with his eyes?

Ans: The tiger stares at the brilliant stars in the night sky with his eyes.

Give the rhyming words of the following words – cage, grass, edge, cars

Ans: cage-village, grass-pass, edge-village, cars-stars.

Short Type Questions : Marks : 2/3

Where does the tiger stalk? How is his behaviour?

Ans: The tiger stalks the few steps of his cage.

The tiger ignores visitors while hiding his rage quietly. He shows disinterestedness and silent rage.

Why does the tiger express his rage quietly?

Ans: The tiger expresses his rage quietly because there is nothing he can do from behind the bars of his cage. His strength now lies inside his cage. He is no longer free as he was in the jungle.

What does the poet think where the tiger should be?

Ans: The poet thinks that the tiger should be in the jungle, lurking in the shadow of long grass to prey deer near the water holes. He should also be on the outskirts of the jungle snarling around houses and terrifying villagers.

Cite the reason of the tiger’s sliding through long grass.

Ans: The reason behind the tiger’s sliding through long grass is to catch plump deer that generally pass near the water holes.

How does the tiger make his presence being felt in the village?

Ans: The tiger makes his presence being felt by snarling around houses at the jungle’s edge and by baring his white fangs and claws.

Why is the tiger ignoring the visitors?

Ans: The tiger is ignoring visitors because he is locked in a concrete cell. His strength lies behind the bars of his cage. He is helpless now. He can do nothing to the visitors.

Who hears the last voice and of what?

Ans: The tiger hears the last voice. The ‘last voice’ is the noise made by the patrolling cars.

What is common between the eyes of the tiger and the stars?

Ans: The common thing between the eyes of …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(a) ______ is a coffee country, famous for its rainforests and spices.

(i) Mysore (ii) Coorg (iii) Mangalore

Ans: (ii) Coorg.

(b) Coorg is said to have evergreen rainforests, spices and

(i) tea plantations (ii) rubber plantations (iii) coffee plantations

Ans: (iii) coffee plantations

(c) The people of Coorg look

(i) rigid (ii) independent (iii) very short

Ans: (ii) independent.

(d) The traditional dress (apparel) of Coorgi people is known as

(i) Kuppia (ii) Kuffia (iii) Kullia

Ans: (i) Kuppia.

(e) The large freshwater fish found in Coorg is

(i) river dolphin (ii) Mahaseer (iii) Rohu

Ans: (ii) Mahaseer.

Say true or false:

(a) Lokesh Abrol wrote the prose-piece “Coorg”. Ans: True.

(b) Coorg is a home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Ans: True.

(c) Tea and rubber grow in Coorg in plenty. Ans: False.

(d) The people of Coorg are possibly of French descent. Ans: False.

(e) The first chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Ans: True.

(f) One can have a man of view area of Coorg from the Brahmagiri hills. Ans: True.

Who wrote the prose piece, “Coorg”?

Ans: Lokesh Abrol wrote the prose piece, “Coorg”.

Where is Coorg?

Ans: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and Mangalore in the state of Karnataka.

What is Coorg home to?

Ans: Coorg is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

What is the other name of Coorg?

Ans: The other name of Coorg is Kodagu.

What covers thirty percent of Coorg district?

Ans: Evergreen rainforests cover thirty per cent of Coorg district.

Do the visitors have a good time in Coorg during the monsoons?

Ans: No, they don’t have.

Which crops grow in Coorg in plenty?

Ans: Coffee plants grow in Coorg in plenty?

What can be seen in Coorg most prominently?

Ans: Coffee estates and colonial bungalows can be seen most prominently in Coorg.

State the Coorgi people’s descent.

Ans: The Coorgi people are possibly of Greek or Arab descent.

What is Kuppia?

Ans: Kuppia is the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, i.e., the Coorgi people.

What is Kuffia?

Ans: Kuffia is the traditional attire of the Arabs and the Kurds.

What was worn by the Arabs and the Kurds?

Ans: Kuffia was worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

What is the place of the Coorg Regiment in the Indian Army?

And: The Coorg Regiment has a high place in the Indian Army. It is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. The first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi.

Name the Coorgi Army General of the Indian Army.

Ans: General Cariappa.

What status do the Kodavus enjoy in India?

Ans: The Kodavus, i.e., the Coorgi people enjoy the privilege of carrying firearms without a license.

Name the river of Coorg.

Ans: The river of Coorg is Kaveri.

Name the large freshwater fish available in the river in Coorg.

Ans: The large freshwater fish available in the river in Coorg is Mahaseer.

Name the birds and animals found in Coorg.

Ans: The birds and animals found in Coorg are –kingfisher, Malabar squirrel, langur, elephant, macaque and slender loris.

What is favourite for the trekkers in Coorg?

Ans: The favourite adventures for the trekkers in Coorg are – river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking.

From where can one have a view of a wide area of Coorg?

Ans: One can have a view of a wide area of Coorg from the top of the Brahmagiri hills.

Name the island in Coorg.

Ans: The island in Coorg is Nisargadhama.

Where is India’s largest Tibetan settlement?

Ans: India’s largest Tibetan settlement is in the island of Nisargadhama in Coorg.

Short Type Questions : Marks : 2/3

Describe Coorg in brief, as presented in the opening paragraph.

Ans: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and Mangalore and is described as a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of god. It is also described as a land of rolling hills, martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.

Where is Coorg situated? What is so significant about it as a place deserving to be visited?

Ans: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore in the state of Karnataka. It is a land of rolling hills, martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures. There are evergreen rainforests and sprawling coffee estates. It is also an ideal place for adventure sports. So, it deserves to be visited.

Describe the Coorgi people and their descent.

Ans: The Coorgi people are fiercely independent, brave and decorative. According to one theory, they are of Greek descent. It is said that they are the successors of a part of Alexander’s army who came to Southern India and settled there when return became impractical. According to another theory, they are of Arab descent. There is resemblance between Kuppia that the Coorgi people wear and Kuffia that the Arabs and Kurds wear.

What is Kuppia and Kuffia?

Ans: Kuppia is the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, i.e., Coorgi people. Kuffia is traditionally worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Explain in brief about the Coorgi people’s valour and bravery.

Ans: The Coorgi people are fiercely independent and brave. They are always willing to recount the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. They are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

How is the wildlife of Coorg?

Ans: Coorg has a bountiful and varied wildlife. It has fish like the Mahaseer, birds like kingfisher and animals like Malabar squirrel, langur, macaque, slender loris and elephant. Besides, bees and butterflies are also to be seen there.

What are the high energy adventures that are available in Coorg?

Ans: The high energy adventures that are available in Coorg are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking.

Describe the animals that can be seen and are available in Coorg.

Ans: In Coorg, squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy.

How can one have a panoramic view of Coorg?

Ans: One can have a panoramic view of Coorg by climbing on to the top of the Brahmagiri hills.

Describe the Tibetan settlement in Coorg.

Ans: In the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama in Coorg, there is a Tibetan settlement near Bylakuppe. The monks can be seen in red, ochre and yellow robes.

Ans: In South Africa, if a coloured person tried to fulfil his obligations to his people, he is isolated and prevented from fulfilling his obligations to his family. So, men could not fulfil their twin obligations.

Name the party joined by the author?

Ans: The author joined the “African National Congress” party.

What distinctions does Nelson Mandela attain after more than three centuries of white rule?

Ans: Nelson Mandela attained the distinction of having freed his nation from the rule of the whites.

How many seats were won by Nelson Mandela’s party in the first democratic elections of South Africa?

Ans: Nelson Mandela’s party won 252 seats in the first democratic elections of South Africa.

How many years did Nelson Mandela spend in prison?

Ans: Nelson Mandela spent twenty seven years in prison.

When did Nelson Mandela die?

Ans: Nelson Mandela died in 2013.

Short Type Questions : Marks : 2/3

Who was Nelson Mandela? For how many years did he spend in prison?

Ans: Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter of South Africa and its first black President. He spent 27 years in prison.

What took place on 10th May, 1994?

Ans: The inauguration ceremony for the installation of South Africa’s democracy took place on 10th May, 1994.

Where did the ‘ceremonies’ take place? Why were the ceremonies so important?

Ans: The ‘ceremonies’ took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in Pretoria in South Africa. The ceremonies were so important because these were meant for the celebration of victory of the South African natives over the ruling whites and for the installation of South Africa’s first ever democracy.

Who were other persons who took oath along with Nelson Mandela?

Ans: The persons who took oath along with Nelson Mandela were Mr de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki.

What did Mandela mean when he mentioned ‘an extraordinary human disaster’?

Ans: Mandela meant the indescribable sufferings of the South African people under the rule of the whites when he mentioned ‘an extraordinary human disaster’.

Why did Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Ans: Mandela thanked the international leaders for having come to take part in the common victory for justice, peace and human dignity on the South African soil.

What ideals does Mandela set out for the future of South Africa?

Ans: Mandela sets out the ideals of courage, generosity and wisdom for the future of South Africa.

What spectacular show was displayed by the South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers on this important ceremony?

Ans: South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings in Pretoria. A chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.

What did the military generals do?

Ans: The Military Generals saluted and pledged their loyalty to Nelson Mandela.

How had the military generals’ attitude changed, and why?

Ans: The military generals had witnessed the extraordinary courage and wisdom shown by Nelson Mandela in freeing South Africa from the bondage of the whites. The military generals, who would have arrested Mandela earlier, have now pledged their loyalty to him. This shows their change in attitude.

State the two national anthems. Why were they sung?

Ans: The two national anthems were – ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and ‘Die Stem’.

How was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history?

Ans: In the first decade of the twentieth century and before Mandela’s birth, the whites in South Africa had erected a system of racial domination known as ‘apartheid’. In the last decade of the twentienth century, when Mandela was in his eighties, he saw that system crumbling. So, he was overwhelmed with a sense of history.

How did Mandela describe the system of government in his country in the final decade of the twentieth century?

Ans: Mandela described the system of government in his country in the final decade of the twentieth century as one that recognises the rights and freedoms of all people, irrespective of the colour of their skin.

What did Mandela think of the patriots of Africa and of himself?

Ans: Mandela thought that the freedom of South Africa had come through the sufferings and courage of the patriots. He said that he was simply the sum total of all those patriots. He regretted for having not been able to thank them.

How did the policy of apartheid affect his country?

Ans: The policy of apartheid left a lasting wound on South Africa. It was one of the harshest and most inhumane policies the world had ever seen. The rights and freedoms of the South African natives had been taken away by this policy of the ruling whites.

What is the view of Mandela about the wealth of his country?

Ans: Mandela was of the view that the greatest wealth of his country was its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

What does courage mean to Mandela?

Ans: According to Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

What should people learn so that they can be taught to love?

Ans: People should learn to hate so that they can be taught to love.

How does Mandela look at his own people?

Ans: Mandela has seen his own people risking and giving their lives for an idea. He has seen men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination.

Describe the twin obligations as stated by the author?

Ans: The twin obligations stated by Mandela are – (i) obligations to one’s family, to parents, to wife, and to children ; and (ii) obligations to one’s people, to the community, and to the country.

What problems hinder each man to fulfil these obligations in South Africa?

Ans: Whenever a native South African tries to fulfil his duty to his people, he is ripped from his family and forced to live an isolated life. He is isolated even if he tries to live as a human being. So, it is very difficult in South Africa to fulfil these obligations.

What problems were faced by Mandela in the beginning in placing his people above his family?

Ans: In the beginning, in attempting to serve his people, Mandela found that he was prevented from fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.

What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student?

Ans: As a boy, being free meant to Mandela the freedoms of running in the fields, swimming in the clear stream, roasting mealies in the open, and riding bulls. As a student, he understood freedom as the ability to stay out at night, read what he pleased, and go where he chose.

What did Mandela yearn for as a young man in Johannesburg?

Ans: As a young man in Johannesburg, Mandela yearned for the freedoms of achieving his potential, of earning his keep, of marrying and having a family.

What did he perceive about his brothers and sisters?

Ans: Mandela perceived that not only was he not free, but also his brothers and his sisters were not free.

What changed Mandela as a young man into a bold one?

Ans: Mandela’s desire for the freedom of his people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect changed him into a bold one.

What is the viewpoint of Mandela about ‘freedom’?

Ans: Mandela’s viewpoint on ‘freedom’ is that it is indivisible. The chains on anyone of his people were the chains on all of them.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(e) ______ experiencing the contentment of a man _____. (disgust/derision/satisfaction)

Ans: satisfaction.

Who is the writer of the prose-piece, “A Letter to God”?

Ans: G.L. Fuentes is the writer of the prose-piece, “A Letter to God”.

Who was Lencho?

Ans: Lencho was a Latin American farmer.

Where was the house of Lencho situated?

Ans: The house of Lencho was situated on the crest of a low hill in a valley.

From where can one see the river?

Ans: One can see the river from the top of a hill.

What crop was farmed by Lencho?

Ans: Lencho farmed corn.

What was the peculiar thing about Lencho’s house?

Ans: The peculiar thing about Lencho’s house was that it was the only one in the entire valley.

What did the crop need before ripening?

Ans: The crop needed a downpour or at least a shower before ripening.

Who was the “woman” mentioned in the story?

Ans: The “woman” mentioned in the story was Lencho’s wife.

What was prepared by the woman?

Ans: Dinner was prepared by the woman.

Where were the older boys working?

Ans: The older boys were working in the field.

Where were the smaller boys playing?

Ans: The smaller boys were playing near the house.

What was Lencho’s profession?

Ans: Lencho’s profession was farming.

What happened during the meal?

Ans: Big drops of rain began to fall during the meal.

When did the big drops of rain begin to fall?

Ans: The big drops of rain began to fall while Lencho’s wife was preparing meal.

From where the huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching?

Ans: From the north-east direction the huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching.

How was the air?

Ans: The air was fresh and sweet.

Why did Lencho go out in the rain?

Ans: Lencho went out in the rain to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body.

What were the raindrops like, according to Lencho?

Ans: The raindrops were like new coins, according to Lencho.

When did the very large hailstones begin to fall?

Ans: A strong wind had begun to blow. Thereafter, very large hailstones began to fall along with the rain.

How did the field look after the rain?

Ans: The field looked white, as if covered with salt after the rain.

What happened to Lencho’s field?

Ans: Lencho’s field was completely destroyed by the hailstones.

Who or what did Lencho have faith in?

Ans: Lencho had faith in God.

Was Lencho a hardworking man?

Ans: Yes, Lencho was. He was, in fact, an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields.

To whom did Lencho write a letter?

Ans: Lencho wrote a letter to God.

What was the strange thing about Lencho’s letter?

Ans: The strange thing about Lencho’s letter was that it was addressed to none other than God.

What did Lencho expect in reply to his letter?

Ans: Lencho expected a hundred pesos in reply to his letter.

Where did Lencho drop the letter?

Ans: Lencho dropped the letter in the mailbox at the post office.

To whom did the postman give the letter?

Ans: The postman gave the letter to the postmaster.

Who read the letter?

Ans: The postmaster read the letter.

What was the idea that the postmaster came up with?

Ans: The postmaster came up with the idea of answering the letter to God as God himself.

To whom did the postmaster ask for money?

Ans: The postmaster asked for money from his employees and friends.

How much money did the postmaster himself give?

Ans: The postmaster gave a part of his salary.

Did Lencho receive a reply to his letter?

Ans: Yes, he did.

When did Lencho come to the post office again?

Ans: Lencho came to the post office again the following Sunday.

Who handed the letter to Lencho?

Ans: The postman handed the letter to Lencho.

What did Lencho seek when he went up to the window?

Ans: Lencho sought paper and ink when he went up to the window.

Why did Lencho write a second letter to God?

Ans: Lencho wrote a second letter to God to complain that only a part of the money reached him. He blamed the post office employees for this.

Who read the letter for the second time?

Ans: The postmaster read the letter for the second time.

Short Type Questions: Marks : 2/3

Give a brief description of Lencho’s house.

Ans: Lencho’s house was the only one in the entire valley. It sat on the crest of a low hill overlooking the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with flowers that always promised a good harvest.

Who was Lencho? What was his profession?

Ans: Lencho was a Latin American farmer who cropped corn. His profession was farming.

Give a brief description of Lencho’s family.

Ans: Lencho had a wife and at least four boys. It was a happy family. The family members were deeply religious. They lived in a solitary house on a hilltop.

When did the rain start? How did the family of Lencho welcome the rain?

Ans: The rain started during the meal. The family of Lencho welcomed the rain warmly. Lencho was so excited that he went out to feel the rain on his body.

What did Lencho hope for?

Ans: Lecho hoped for help from God.

Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’?

Ans: The raindrops would make a good harvest and therby bring new coins to Lencho. So he says the raindrops were like ‘new coins’.

How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?

Ans: After a sudden gust of wind had begun to blow, very large hailstones began to fall along with the rain.

Lencho’s field was totally destroyed by the hailstones.

Describe the destruction caused by hailstones in Lencho’s fields.

Ans: The hail rained on Lencho’s house, garden, cornfield, the hillside and the entire valley for an hour. The field was white, as if covered with salt. Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn in Lencho’s cornfield was totally destroyed.

What were Lencho’s feelings when the rain/hail had stopped?

Ans: Lencho was filled with sadness after the rain/hail had stopped. His corn was totally destroyed. He said to his sons that they would have no corn that year. But he was hopeful of getting help from God.

How did Lencho console his family?

Ans: Lencho consoled his family saying that it was not a total loss, though it seems to be. He further adds that no one dies of hunger.

Who or what did Lencho have faith in?

Ans: Lencho had faith in God.

What did Lencho write in the first letter addressed to God?

Ans: In the first letter, Lencho wrote, “God, if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year. I need a hundred pesos in order to sow my field again and to live until the crop comes, because the hailstorm… .”

How did Lencho send the letter?

Ans: Lencho went to the post office at town one Sunday, placed a stamp on the letter and dropped it into the mailbox.

Why was the postmaster amazed after seeing the letter?

Ans: The postmaster was amazed to see that the letter was addressed to none other than God. He was amazed at the sender’s deep faith in God.

What did the postmaster do in order to not break Lencho’s firm belief/faith in the Almighty/God?

Ans: In order to not break Lencho’s firm belief/faith in the Almighty/God, the postmaster decided to answer the letter as God himself. He collected money from his employees, friends and contributed a part of his salary to send to Lencho. He put the money in an envelope and sent it.

Why did the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why did he sign the letter ‘God’?

Ans: The postmaster sent money to Lencho in order to not shake his firm faith in God. It was also an act of charity.

He signed the letter ‘God’ so that Lencho would think the letter really came from God.

Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it? Cite the reason.

Ans: Lencho was not the least surprised to find a letter for him with money in it. He was totally sure that it came from God. Such was his faith in God.

When did Lencho come to the post office? What were the reasons of the postmaster and the postman to Lencho’s coming there?

Ans: Lencho came to the post office the following Sunday a bit earlier than usual.

The postmaster and the postman would probably think that Lencho had come there in order to write a letter of thanks to God.

Why was Lencho angry after opening the letter?

Ans: Lencho was angry after opening the letter because he found only seventy pesos inside the envelope. He had demanded a hundred pesos from God. Instead of getting angry on God, he got angry on the post office employees because he thought them to have misappropriated the money.

What did Lencho write in his second letter to God?

Ans: In the second letter to God, Lencho informed that he had only received seventy pesos. He requested God to send him the rest of the money through